AU: I know I said I would be updating my story around the weekend, but the bulletin thingy said the server would be down around Sunday, so I decided to update...a day early. It's a Friday and I completely forgot. School will be starting next week for most of you- including me, but I have gotten ahead with the chapters, so I hope all of you stay posted around the weekend. :D
Seeing Truth
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Chapter 28: Disaster
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The chilling October wind bit me to the bone, but I refused for the hundredth time not to step out from the balcony. My hair whipped in my face, and the only movement I conjured was to wrap my arms around myself to keep in any warmth that was left inside of me. The night air was refreshing after being in that ballroom for so long. Yes, I had met Isabella, and from the moment I saw her it was sheer hatred. I hardly ever knew someone that I actually hated, but Isabella had crossed the line. She was the perfect personification of a snobbish princess come to ruin the life of anyone and anything that crossed her path. The entire time as she sat at the main banquet table I could feel her sharp and piercing gaze penetrating my very being. I detested her more than ever, and no one's words could change my mind. I had kept my promise to Kado, but I could tell when we were introduced personally he realized it was a bad idea.
She, in her jewel-adorned clothing and beautiful curl-locked red hair, and me in my plain green dress with wind-swept wavy/curly brown hair. She was ten times more beautiful then me, but she still didn't deserve Kado. Hell, I didn't deserve him either, but I could never let him marry a snob such as her. I remember the cold look she held in her dark green eyes as she stared at me with nothing but malice. I had done nothing but greet her in the most formal way I possibly could before I headed to the small banquet table where I sat with Link and Kenny. The entire time I watched them dance their traditional dances- the ones where they clasped hands, turned a few times, and repeated it like a rehearsed musical. Kado had asked me to dance, but I had declined; I wasn't planning on attracting attention to me more than needed…but I was currently labeled as a psychopath…so…
I shook my head when I felt the wind practically freeze my legs under my dress. My feet already felt bare with the thin slippers, and I realized that it was finally time to go in. I turned around with my head still down- a huge mistake- as I rammed someone in the chest.
"Don't you ever watch where you are headed?" a familiar voice drawled as someone wrapped his arms around my waist. I looked up in shock, but soon relaxed when neither anger nor aggravation was present on his features.
"What are you doing here, Kado? Won't Isabella be angry if she found out you were here?" I spit the name out with disgust. Kado smirked as he drew me closer to him. I obliged, but still kept my arms folded across my chest.
"I'm sorry for making you go through that tonight, Jade." He said as he rested his cheek against the top of my head. I closed my eyes as I welcomed the warmth emanating from him.
"That's alright." My voice was muffled after I decidedly rested my head on his chest. It was relaxing for the first second, but my eyes snapped open when I realized he wasn't wearing what he had been in only a little earlier. He was wearing a thin white long puff-sleeved shirt worn out- I assumed- after wearing and washing it for so long. I didn't bother anymore since he it didn't seem like he was about to let me go anytime soon.
"I don't know what do anymore." He said, his chest moving under my head as he sighed, "I don't think I can handle her anymore. She repeatedly continues to throw herself at me."
"You're damned if you marry her, and damned if you don't." I muttered.
"No. I wouldn't be damned if I didn't marry her." He argued, pulling me away to look at me straight in the eyes.
"Kado…" I began, but stopped as he leaned in closer to my level.
"It's true, Jade. You know it's true." He whispered, and I glanced down at my numb feet. He was right; I felt the same way about him as he felt about me, and I just couldn't deny it any longer.
"You're…you're right." I choked out. Kado smiled; it wasn't one of those mischievous smiles, but a genuine smile because he was happy, and I liked it all the more.
"Now I wish I never told my parents you were mentally disturbed." He commented as he led me inside by the hand.
"I know…" I mumbled, my heart racing as I knocked the slippers off my feet. The stone ground numbed my feet to the very marrow of my bone, and the only relief I had was when I half-jumped half-sat on the bed. Kado watched me a bit perplexed and I shrugged as I covered my feet with my dress. He sat next to me wordlessly, never letting go of my hand.
"I should go, Jade…" he began, but I brought a hand up to shush him.
"You're getting married in two days. I'd like to spend any last moments with you… since I was so stubborn in the beginning." I chuckled slightly as I kept my gaze steady at the floor. A few seconds passed as I felt Kado absentmindedly draw small imaginary designs on my hand with his thumb before I felt him lean back onto the bed. I followed suit and cuddled next to him. I couldn't remember when sleep finally overwhelmed me, but I was certainly glad I wasn't alone.
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It was in the middle of the afternoon the next day, and Kenny, Link, and I were outside in the castle's "front-yard" sword fighting. Kado's dog, Yoshi watched us lazily from under one of the large trees nearby probably thinking how idiotic humans were. Either way I was delighted to see him after so long. Though, I was disappointed to wake without Kado by my side, but I knew it was for the best, anyway. His dreaded wedding was tomorrow, and it all the more complicated my emotionally traumatic problems in a much more worse way. Link and Kenny had said nothing about the subject, and I was very grateful to that fact. However, Link had to bring back the little predicament in Termina. Apparently, Kado had explained everything that had happened from the bet I had lost to the visit to Pierre's plantation, to Link, and rather than being angry with me he was amused. Too amused for my taste, but I was still very relieved. Even though he was a bit aggravated about having more people following our tail, Kenny had reassured him as much as possible.
"Alright! My turn!" Link called as he walked forward.
"Gah!" I gasped in annoyance as Kenny held out a hand for me to take after he had tripped me with his foot, "Oh, come on, Link!" I was completely worn out by the fifth game I had, apparently, lost…for the fifth time.
"Please? You fought Kenny three times." Link said as he swung his sword with a smile plastered on his face.
"Why don't you fight Kenny for a change?" I said before grabbing my sword and trudging towards the tree Yoshi was sleeping under.
"You know it's losers play next." Kenny replied from behind me, chuckling.
"You just did that on purpose because you know I'm not that good." I retorted as I flopped down on the soft grass, causing Yoshi to snap his head my direction. I smiled sheepishly as I petted his head in apology. His soft, white fur was a comfortable relief after holding the hilt of my katana for so long.
"We know." Link chimed as he began to sword fight with Kenny. I narrowed my eyes at them before falling back to stare up at the cloudy sky through the red, yellow, and brown leaves of the tree. I closed my eyes as the sound of steel clinking against steel sounded in the distance. Minutes past- something that didn't happen when I was sword fighting- when I began to hear soft footsteps approaching me. I glanced up and saw a familiar face looking down at me.
"Hey, Kado." I said with a weary smile before closing my eyes once more. I waited, listening to the brunette as he sat down a few feet away. I was a bit disappointed, but I bit my lip and ignored it
"So, who's winning?" I heard Kado ask, and I assumed he was speaking about Kenny and Link. Who else? What? Was I that desperate to think he was talking about Isabella and me?
"I'm not sure." I muttered, sighing. At least a few minutes of silence ensued other than the clinking of steel that continued with the movements that always seemed to follow. The air was surprisingly cool rather than humid or warm as small breezes cooled down the heat built up in me after the long half-hour of sword fighting. "So, how are the wedding plans going so far?" I asked, my eyes still closed.
I heard Kado sigh before answering, "Fine, I suppose. Isabella is doing most of the planning. I sneaked out before she could notice." I snickered at his attempts of escaping his own wedding plans. A few seconds past before he spoke once more, "How would you like to sword fight me, Jade?" My eyes snapped open to stare at Kado who was smiling at me with hopeful eyes.
"I thought you didn't want to fight me." I replied as his words from a few days earlier flooded my head.
He shrugged, his eyes gleaming, "You're not scared, are you?"
"No." I replied quickly, "Of course not." I stood up, grabbed my sword and walked over to an open area with Kado trailing behind. I glanced back at him, and was surprised he had brought his sword with him. I turned around completely then readied myself in a fighting stance.
I wasn't prepared for the first blow, but I quickly recovered and parried his attack; I jumped back and delivered a horizontal thrust near his abdomen. He blocked with his sword before jumping back and sending a vertical slash that I blocked as hard as I could. He backed away, and I had time to gaze at him as we circled each other. He smiled at me, but the look on his face was different. He was ready to jump any moment, and I could stare at this wonder in front of me and so quickly let my guard down. He was a fighter- definitely; there was no doubt about that as he jumped forward with a vertical slash downward. I jumped out of the way, and quickly sent a horizontal thrust his direction. He blocked once again, and I tried to hold on to my katana, but it was too late. The hilt of the katana slipped from my hands, and I quickly rolled away to avoid getting caught. I jumped up onto my feet, but the second I did, the blade of Kado's sword touched the nape of my neck. I slumped my shoulders in defeat for about the sixth time.
"You're not too bad, Jade." He commented, lifting the blade from my neck. I twirled around to be greeted by Kado, his triumphant smirk very irritating.
"Thanks…" I mumbled, trying to prevent a smile from escaping, but failing miserably. The prince just chuckled before walking back to the tree where Kenny and Link were currently sitting and watching with Yoshi in between them. I frowned, a bit thwarted that I had missed the ending of their fight.
"Who won?" I asked nonchalantly as my heartbeat slowly calmed to its regular rhythm. The feeling of adrenaline as I fought was great, but relaxing was what I needed the most right about now. Kenny pointed his thumb towards Link with a faint grimace, and I couldn't help but smirk as I saw Link point to himself and nod with a triumphant grin.
"So, Kado." I heard Kenny speak after a few minutes later, "How did you escape the…" he cleared his throat, "The weather's nice." I glanced at the ebony-haired boy as he glanced around. It was only seconds later that I began to hear footsteps. I watched as the three around me sat up, and I followed suit.
"Kado?" I shut my eyes and took a deep breath when that voice rang in my ears. "Where did you go off to, darling?" The said brunette stumbled over his words as he searched for a workable excuse to tell the princess that was currently glaring angrily at him.
"Um, princess?" I practically gagged the word out as I began, "It seems that prince Kado had to deliver a message…to us…about the… wedding ceremony…and we…we were the ones who told him to stay." Isabella glared at me.
"I don't think ones of your stature should even be here talking to him. Why don't you go back to your little game, so royalty can be in peace." A growl grew in my throat, and just as I was about to stand up katana in hand, Link grabbed my arm and pulled me back down. Isabella smirked with her hands on her hips before she grabbed Kado by the hand to drag him away from us.
"You know it's bad luck to see the bride twenty-four hours before the wedding." I said loudly, and just as I thought- she turned around.
"Who ever told you something like that?" she sneered.
"It's a custom back where we're from." Kenny interrupted. I glanced back at him and smiled.
"Well, if you haven't noticed, we are in Meyenn." She retorted.
"Fine…you're funeral." I shrugged.
"Excuse me?" I heard her behind me.
"Nothing." I said innocently.
"No. I want to know." She ordered and I cocked my head with a smirk before turning around.
"Well, dearest. There was this one couple who decided to get married after only knowing each other for two days. On the third day they were wed, but unfortunately they didn't believe in the little precaution. On the fourth day, they went on their honeymoon…" I began, trying my hardest not to falter over my own words.
"Honeymoon?" Link voiced behind me.
"A little vacation couples take after getting married." Kenny mentioned.
"Anyway, they were happy until the clock struck six…" If only I had a flashlight…
"What happened at six?" the princess practically demanded. I smiled inwardly before continuing:
"Well, six was the exact time they were wed, and at six…the groom was struck by lightning…on a sunny day, and the bride…well, she…" I stopped, suddenly out of ideas.
Kenny jumped in without warning and I relaxed, "The bride was massacred by her own maids…"
"You're making that up." Isabella scoffed.
I shook my head, "Well, I guess we'll just have to find out on the fourth day." She narrowed her eyes at me before turning her attention to Kado.
"I don't want to see you until two o'clock tomorrow, understood?" the prince nodded with a glint in his eyes, and she walked off abruptly.
I turned to Kenny, high-fived him quietly before leaning back down on the grass, completely content.
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I figured by the position of the sun in the sky it had been about an hour since we had transferred to the large library in the castle. We had listlessly been going through random books without much thought for the pastime after it had become a little too chilly outside. I had no idea how to read Hylian and was currently lounging on the sofa with one armrest and no back. It was something you would see in palaces and I loved it. Too bad my room was too small for such a thing. Kado had been cuddled next to me, but when a guard strolled passed the open library door on duty he quickly jumped off and went to the next set of furniture. I was disappointed, but understood, of course. Kenny, however, was taking a nap, forcing Link to sit in the small one-seater while Yoshi slept at his feet.
I had been racking my brain for the last fifteen minutes if I had somehow forgotten something, but I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. Another minute passed and it finally hit me square in the face. I slammed the book I had currently been leafing through shut, causing everyone to turn and face with me with a start including Kenny who jumped a bit too far and fell off his seat with a thump. I smirked before sitting straight, waiting for Kenny to stop rubbing his nose and listen.
"You wanted to say something, Jade?" Kenny muttered, his voice muffled as he climbed back on the sofa with an irritated expression sweeping his features.
"Yeah. Don't we need to get the third Triforce piece or something?" I said with a wave of my hand to indicate the "somewhat" importance of our reason of being in Meyenn.
Link looked at me, boredom etched on his face as he raised an eyebrow, "We did that in the morning, Jade." I slumped my shoulders, but completely aggravated.
"What?" I began, "You went without me again?"
"You were sleeping." Kado said, "I didn't want to wake you. You looked so…"
My eyes widened, "Kado!"
"Peaceful." He interjected. I shrugged in defeat.
"Fine, but next time…" I pointed accusingly.
"Next time. I promise." Link said before he leaned back in his chair.
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Midnight already, and I still didn't want to sleep. I had been in the library all night after dinner while Link and Kenny had decided to turn in for tomorrow. The light in the library flickered in the darkness, almost beckoning me to go to sleep, but it just wouldn't come. I had that spoiled Isabella to thank for that. If only I had surrendered to the entire marriage proposal, but I just played so damn hard to get sometimes it even drove me insane!
I sighed, closing my eyes just for a few seconds before I began to hear footsteps. My eyes snapped open as I turned my head to stare at the one person keeping me awake. I turned away as Kado plopped down on the edge of the cushion, his elbows now resting on his knees. He glanced towards the door before reaching for my hand.
"So…" I mumbled, "Ready for your big day?"
"Not really." He answered, downcast. I sat up, my gaze steady as he brought both his hands and mine up to his lips, his expression showing that he was deep in thought.
"Any way possible I can ruin a wedding?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood. He turned to me, a smirk brightening his features for a brief moment.
"I think a certain mentally disturbed patient can cause a riot once in a while." I grinned wickedly.
"If only we knew one." I said sarcastically. Kado laughed, and I began forming a plot in my head.
"May I escort you to your room…" I raised an eyebrow towards Kado, completely confused, but when I noticed the guard slowly walking past I realized why. I smiled like a dutiful "little lady"- ha! – and took his outstretched hand with a "thank you".
Once we passed the guard we relaxed, and I had the urge to wrap an arm around his waist. I waited…5…4…3…2…1…Nope, still couldn't. Sometimes, I just hate being shy! Ha! Believe it or not- it's true! Past my phony aggressiveness and sarcastic comments, I, Jade Walker, am shy…
I didn't realize how fast the time flew, and I was really, really frustrated at that. We had reached my room in a matter of minutes, but I couldn't say goodnight just yet. I was about to speak again, but Kado beat me to it.
"Goodnight, Miss Walker. I hope you have a good night's rest." He grabbed my other hand with his right, and kissed it, his lips lingering for a moment longer than needed. He was so polite and sincere and I just wanted to strangle him. This wasn't the Kado I knew. This was the prince; the one I only knew when he was in front of… I glanced around: saw nothing to my left, but once I turned to my right I realized why. A guard had been posted in front of Isabella's magnificent door not very far off. I turned back to Kado as he gazed up at me with a gleam in his perfect hazel green eyes before walking off while I, stared after him completely breath taken. I stared down at my right hand, realizing it clutching something. I opened my hand slowly, as if afraid something would come out and lash me. A simple silver ring with a Gerudo design lay in the center of my palm. I hadn't seen this ring since I had dropped it into Kado's hands more than a month ago. I quickly slipped it on my left ring finger, hoping the guard hadn't seen me.
I opened my door behind me, grumbling something about the damn luckiest girl alive currently living right next to me. The room was pitch black, and I knew I should have never stepped in because a second later I had tripped over a rug- I assumed. I groped for something to familiarize my surroundings while at the same muttering something incoherent about my hate for the darkness. I sighed as I finally pulled myself up onto my bed.
Something clinked not too far away before a swishing sound indicated a match being lit rang through my ears. I snapped my head the direction I assumed it came from, but was completely taken aback when it had come from the direction on the fireplace. A lit match hovered near the sofa. I narrowed my eyes to see farther, but nothing was visible other than that one single lit match. I walked towards it, knowing full well I had tossed my katana on the couch. A burst of light erupted from a small oil lantern, and I quickly made a dive for the weapon. A sword stopped my hand from going further as I finally traced it to its owner.
He sat there on the small oak table quite casual and calm- unlike me who was frantically trying to find a way out of this situation. He placed the oil lantern on the table as he brought the tip of the blade up to my neck. I can risk a few scratches, I thought, and reached farther for the katana just below me. By the time I had a good grip, he had brought the tip of the sword up to my face, pushing back my hair to show where a scar had formed from that little fight back in Hyrule's library.
He cocked his head with a sadistic smirk before drawling: "I guess I left a little mark on you, didn't I?" I stared at him, trying my hardest not to show any emotion. "You're not going to say anything? Last time, I remember you were quite the opposite. What happened, Jade? Are you too afraid, now?" He sneered, his red eyes gleaming in the small lamplight.
"What do you want, Ryuichi?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"I've come to finish our little fight remember? And then claim a few things of mine." He responded with the same tone.
"You don't own anything here." I opposed as I unsheathed the katana slowly. He smiled, knowing full well what I was doing. He stood up, drawing the sword away.
"I do, Jade. I also own this…" I watched as he untied a small pouch from his belt. It was hard at first to adjust my eyes to the jagged shape he had pulled out from the leather pouch, but once the light from the oil lamp reached through to the object, I gasped. The fourth Triforce piece gleamed in the dim light as Ryuichi moved it slowly in the air, allowing the light to shine its brightest on the piece of gold.
"While you were looking for the other three pieces, I went to Loronna and began my search for the fourth piece."
"Where was it located?" I asked, wanting more than ever to launch myself towards the object.
"Seems that there was this merchant selling rare jewelry in town with his two children. They had found the object in a small cave while searching for diamond rocks. Funny, isn't it?" he said as he placed the piece back in the leather pouch. Something nagged me in the back of my mind, and I racked for the reason. I couldn't understand why that sounded so familiar? …merchant…jewelry…two children… I glared at Ryuichi while he tied the pouch onto his belt.
"'Was'?" I repeated.
"Well, yes. They traveled to Termina a few days ago." He said with a smirk plastered on his face, "You didn't actually think I killed them, do you?"
"I-It took you that long?" I asked, trying my best to bide me some time.
"I thought it would be easier to let you all do the work." He answered simply.
I stuttered, but didn't have much time to say anything anyway. Ryuichi walked around the sofa, and I took guarded steps backward. My eyes had long since adjusted to the impending darkness, but an accident was just waiting to happen.
"Now, Jade. I don't have much time, so we're going to have to make this quick." He laughed after he spoke those words, "But of course, I won't have to worry about that, now will I?"
I grimaced, but decided for the best not to argue with the unwanted intruder. I readied myself in a fighting stance, drew my katana forward, and prayed that if I didn't make it through this, that Kenny would just beat the crap out of his own brother.
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Another chapter, another cliffhanger. Now, I'd like some input. How'd everyone like this chapter? Am I living up to the "suspense" category? If you review I'll update sooner: D
P.S Does anyone know where I got the quote, "Fine… you're funeral."? If anyone knows I'll update even sooner! Lol. I hadn't planned at all to stick that in, but I noticed it while i was rereading the chapter. :)
By the way, thank you all for reviewing my last chapter, and I'm very happy to see new readers, and I hope all of you enjoy this story, and hope all of you stick around for the ending : D